ambershelf's reviews
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In 1792, formerly enslaved Benjamin Honey and his Irish wife discovered a remote Island to build a life together. Their descendants live peacefully with eccentric neighbors until the intrusion of eugenics masked in Christian missionaries comes to "cleanse" the island.

At just over 200 pages, Harding writes about the distinct culture and unique happiness of a group of inhabitants living far away from "civilization" with compassion and tenderness. Harding's style seamlessly blends humor and hardship with beautiful prose and reminds me of A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW (Amor Towles) and MERCURY PICTURES PRESENTS (Anthony Marra).

Thank you to Librofm for the gifted ALC

British painter Lloyd has decided to travel to a remote island for the summer. Unbeknownst to him, French linguistics student Masson will return to the island to complete his dissertation on Gaeilge, the dying Irish language. While the two men fight over what should be preserved and portrayed, the Irish people on the island have their own views on what can be taken and what must remain.

I adore the nuanced exploration of THE COLONY that examines who has the right to tell their stories, what part of culture should be preserved, and what outsiders can take when studying another culture. Written in an experimental style and interspersed with historical conflicts between the IRA and the British Army, THE COLONY brilliantly examines the aftermaths of colonialism through language and art.

However, the experimental writing left me wanting more profound portrayals of the Irish family. The structure of THE COLONY reminds me of GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER (Bernardine Evaristo), and might not be for everyone. Regardless, it is a much-needed story on the rights the Irish have but are denied, the strength the Irish demonstrate but are overlooked, and the culture the Irish possess but are stolen.

Yungman Kwak never thought his American dream would turn out like this. As the rural hospital he works in shutters due to a lack of revenue, his life is thrown into chaos. Yungman is confronted with the past of the Korean War, the secret he's hidden from his family, and an American Dream that no longer seems so rosy.

EVENING HERO is a thought-provoking novel that addresses various themes and issues relevant to present-day society, especially as an immigrant navigating majority-white spaces. The book explores the challenges and struggles rural areas face regarding healthcare and the commercialization of medical care in the US.

I also appreciate Lee's exploration of the atrocities committed by US troops during the Korean War. Her portrayal of these events is heart-wrenching but offers insights into the traumatic experiences that many Korean people endured during this period.

Another theme in EVENING HERO is the examination of healthcare as a business. Lee provides a unique perspective on how healthcare has become a profit-driven industry, particularly in small towns where people often have limited access to healthcare. This topic is especially relevant today, as the *blip* has exposed the flaws in the medical system in the US.

While the political commentaries in the book provide valuable insights, they sometimes detract from the narrative's flow. The flashbacks to the past also interrupt the present-day narrative, making it challenging to stay engaged with the story. I find myself skimming because I want to know what happened to Yungman and his son's business ventures in the present day.

Overall, EVENING HERO is a powerful novel that is well worth reading. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the themes explored are relevant and timely. THE TOWN OF BABYLON (Alejandro Varela) makes an excellent companion read, exploring the immigrant experience and public health issues.

When their parents planned a route to escape from Vietnam to the US, Anh, Thanh, and Minh didn't expect to become orphaned or land in the UK. Following their resettlement into the new country, the siblings face new identities as refugees while navigating social inequality, racism, and the raging anti-immigrant sentiment. As they mature, each must confront the weight they carry that will diverge their paths.

WANDERING SOULS is a beautifully written page-turner interspersed with the siblings' journey, reporting on the Vietnamese refugees, and a mysterious first-person narrator who reflects on the history and political landscape during the period. While some POVs are a mystery in the beginning, it all comes together powerfully toward the end of the book.

WANDERING SOULS is the first book I've read about Vietnamese immigrants and their experiences in the UK. I find the news reports about the treatment of Vietnamese refugees by the British government and the hypocrisy & racism eye-opening and sickening. However, I do wish the book could've been longer and provided more character development for Anh and her siblings, especially in adulthood.

Regardless, WANDERING SOULS is a beautiful debut that sheds light on an essential piece of history I wasn't previously aware of. It is a book that I didn't want to end, and one that I'll surely recommend to everyone. WANDERING SOULS will make a great next read for fans of ALL THAT'S LEFT UNSAID (Tracey Lien)!

Thank you to Henry Holt and NetGalley for the eARC